Jets overpower United

The Newcastle Jets have moved into second spot on the Westfield W-League ladder with a hard-fought 2-1 win over a determined Adelaide United in their Round 8 clash at Wanderers Oval, Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

The Newcastle Jets have moved into second spot on the Westfield W-League ladder with a hard-fought 2-1 win over a determined Adelaide United in their Round 8 clash at Wanderers Oval, Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Adelaide held the advantage of play in the first half and took the lead in the 23rd minute via a Victoria Balomenos penalty. Newcastle leveled against the run of play in the 36th minute courtesy of a spectacular strike from defender Rebecca Smith to send the sides to the half-time break locked at 1-1.

The Jets took control of the match in the second half with midfielder Amber Neilson scoring the winner with a sublime shot in the 79th minute.

The win sees Newcastle maintain its charge towards the finals, while the Reds remain near the bottom of the table but would have been pleased with their performance after suffering a 6-0 loss last start.

"It was quite even and very competitive, which is what we wanted after last week," Adelaide coach Mike Barnett said after the match.

"We changed our shape a little bit and it seemed to have the desired affected and it was only going to be a special goal that separated the teams."

The visitors started the match with a gale at their backs but it was the Jets who had the best of the early opportunities.

Matildas striker Katie Gill had a free-kick saved in the fifth minute before Joanne Peters saw her long-range speculator sail just wide of the target soon after.

Adelaide worked its way back into the match and earned a penalty in the 22nd minute that brought about the opening goal.